System and process for tokenization of digital media

ABSTRACT

A system and process for converting a digital media file into a digital token is disclosed. The embodiments modify a digital media file so that a set of rules are attached to the digital media file creating a digital token, which can be used to persist the digital media file through a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network is a distributed ledger or blockchain based network that securely tracks distribution of the digital media file. The digital token may have a value added to it or value may intrinsically exist as the digital token is persisted through the network. The value associated with distribution of the digital media file may be used to reward the owner of the digital media file, distributors of the token, or as an incentive program for commercial transactions and non-commercial transactions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 15/402,209, filed Jan. 9, 2017, which claimsbenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 1 19(e) of U.S. Provisional Application havingSer. No. 62/253,675 filed Nov. 10, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to digital file management, and moreparticularly to a system and process for tokenization of media fileswithin a network.

BACKGROUND

Currently digital media files are usually not securely exchanged orshared between two parties across a network environment. Examples ofdigital media files may include for example, movies, music, books orimages. Additionally, the utility of digital media files are restrictedto their function. Thus, the value of a digital media file is limited tothe content of the file itself. The creator or owner of the digitalmedia is therefore limited in capacity to monetizing a file.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system and process that can modifymedia files to add value to their structure.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, system for tokenization of digitalmedia comprises a digital token configured for persisted distributionwithin an electronic distributed ledger, the digital token including: adigital media file, a set of stored rules attached to the digital mediafile, the set of stored rules including a distributed ledger protocoland conditions that define a change in status associated with thedigital media file as the digital token is distributed within theelectronic distributed ledger, and a host server configured to updatethe status of the digital token within the distributed ledger inresponse to a detected change in status of the digital token andbroadcast an update of the digital token to the electronic distributedledger.

In another aspect of the disclosure, method for distributing a digitalmedia file within an electronic distributed ledger comprises generatinga digital token associated with the digital media file, comprising a setof stored rules attached to the digital media file, the set of storedrules including a distributed ledger protocol and conditions that definea change in status associated with the digital media file as the digitaltoken is distributed within the electronic distributed ledger;distributing, by a computer processor, the digital token within theelectronic distributed ledger; identifying, by a computer processor, anupdate to a status of the digital media file within the electronicdistributed ledger; modifying, by the computer processor, the status ofthe digital token in response to the identified updated status of thedigital media file; and broadcasting by a host server, to the electronicdistributed ledger, the modified status of the digital token.

In still yet another aspect of the disclosure a computer program productfor hosting an online portal for the tokenization of a digital mediafile, comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied therewith, the computer readableprogram code being configured to: generate a digital token associatedwith the digital media file, comprising a set of stored rules attachedto the digital media file, the set of stored rules including adistributed ledger protocol and conditions that define a change instatus associated with the digital media file as the digital token isdistributed within the electronic distributed ledger; distribute, by acomputer processor, the digital token within the electronic distributedledger; identify, by a computer processor, an update to a status of thedigital media file within the electronic distributed ledger; modify, bythe computer processor, the status of the digital token in response tothe identified updated status of the digital media file; and broadcastby a host server, to the electronic distributed ledger, the modifiedstatus of the digital token.

It is understood that other configurations of the subject technologywill become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, wherein various configurations of thesubject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. Aswill be realized, the subject technology is capable of other anddifferent configurations and its several details are capable ofmodification in various other respects, all without departing from thescope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detaileddescription are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not asrestrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method of tokenizing a digital media file fordistribution in a blockchain or distributed ledger network in accordancewith an aspect of the subject technology.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of persisting a tokenized digitalmedia file in in a blockchain or distributed ledger network inaccordance with an aspect of the subject technology.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a computer/server system for processing andmanaging liabilities in accordance with an aspect of the subjecttechnology.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a network processing and managingliabilities in accordance with an aspect of the subject technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the subject technology and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the subject technology may bepracticed. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitutea part of the detailed description. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that the subject technology may be practiced without thesespecific details. Like or similar components are labeled with identicalelement numbers for ease of understanding.

Generally, embodiments of the subject technology provide a system andprocess for modifying a digital media file, adding a layer of securityto the modified media file, and adding value to the modified file fordistribution within an electronic network. Embodiments disclosed belowgenerally exist within an electronic online environment. In an exemplaryembodiment, a digital media file is converted into a digital token. Thedigital token may be a string of bytes that define a set of rules orinstructions associated with the base media file. The tokenized mediafile may be cryptographically secured to facilitate exchange between twoparties. In an exemplary embodiment, the digital token includes computerexecutable instructions that change the string of bytes from one stateto another upon a condition in the instructions being fulfilled as thetokenized digital media file persists (is distributed or transferred)through a blockchain or distributed ledger network. A distributed ledgerprotocol used herein may be for example a blockchain protocol such as,Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, a permissioned distributed ledger, a metadataprotocol on top of a distributed ledger protocol, such as CounterPartyor ColoredCoins, or any other derivation of metadata protocols ordistributed ledger protocols. The distributed ledger protocol mayincorporate the use of smart contracts in the systems, which areevolving files whose status changes as conditions/rules are fulfilledduring the existence of the digital media file within the system Inexemplary applications, the tokenized media file may have tangible valuethat can appreciate/depreciate under a smart contract. The token and itscontents may be configured to remain static or self-modify based oncriteria within the rules being met. In some embodiments, the token canreside within a ledger independently from the digital media file. Atoken may be used to facilitate transfer between parties and whendecoupled from the actual media file acts as a reference to the mediafile. This allows easy transfer of rights that is not dependent on howthe actual media file is being transferred from person to person. Asmight be appreciated, a tokenized media file might never actually movefrom one location to the next. But the tokenized representation of themedia file which might represent distribution rights can be transferredquickly and easily many times.

It will also be appreciated that aspects of the subject technologyimprove the fields of digital file management, distribution of digitalfiles, and sales of digital files. For example, an embodiment of thesubject technology provides a system for transferring digital mediafiles among the consuming public. Aspects disclosed herein manage thesecure distribution of tokenized media files so that the contents of thetoken may be automatically adjusted and ensure integrity in the systemby broadcasting the updated token through an electronic public ledger.As will be appreciated, value may be added to tokenized digital mediafiles of the disclosed systems and processes by way of providingtrackable performance. The performance may be translated into verifiablesales and can be used to create and track incentives for distributers ofa tokenized digital media file.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a process 100 for tokenizing a digital mediafile for distribution in a blockchain or distributed ledger network isshown according to an exemplary embodiment. A digital media file may beselected 110 for tokenization. The digital media file may be for examplea music file, a video file, a document, or other digital product. Insome embodiments, multiple digital media files may be combined into onedigital token. For example, an album of multiple digital sound trackscan be combined into one tokenized digital media file. The files mayhave the ability of separating from each other into multiple new digitaltokens depending on the rules of the token.

The method may include generating 120 a cryptographic key pair for thedigital media file being tokenized. The key pair may comprise a publickey/private key pair that is used to access the token within thedistributed ledger. Private keys are typically not transferred amongstparties. A wallet in a distributed ledger uses a string of hex that isderived from a user's public key. Rather than a location used to storeassets or tokens, the system may specify which private keys have theright to interact with a particular ledger component. Transfer of atoken from user A to user B may use a request and it is digitally signedby a user' private key. The request may consist of user A's public key,token information such as which token and the amounts to transfer, arecipient's wallet address. The ledger that receives the transaction isable to verify using the signature and a public key that the creator ofthe transaction was allowed to perform such a transfer because thenetwork can derive the address from the provided transaction and verifythat the address has the correct token balance available to transfer.Once the transaction is accepted into the system, user B whose addresswas specified in the transaction now has rights to transfer the amountof the token and that user A specified.

The need to share private keys is removed from the system and replacedby users granting rights or transferring rights to other users throughthis use of public key private key and address. Ledger protocols mayvary, with different cryptographic rules, different signatures schemes,different algorithms, and different system state consensus models beingused.

The system may determine 130 whether additional data should be embeddedwith the media file being tokenized. Depending on the originator of thedigital token, a number of various types of data may be associated witha digital media file. For example, metadata associated with the digitalmedia file may indicate a source of the digital media file, licensesassociated with the digital media file, and terms of use. The additionalembedded data may be set up to provide various applications. Forexample, a loyalty rewards program can be created by configuring theadditional data to outline terms and rules for establishing credits fordistribution and use of the digital media file within the system Thedigital token may be embedded with units of tokenized value. The unitsof tokenized value may be a native blockchain token digital loyaltytoken, native blockchain token digital currency token such as Bitcoin orany other native blockchain digital loyalty token or currency token, anative permissioned distributed ledger token, a metadata protocol tokenor digital loyalty token or currency token on top of a distributedledger protocol, such as Counterparty or ColoredCoins, or any otherderivation of metadata protocols or distributed ledger protocols.

As will be appreciated, the units of tokenized value embedded with thetokenized digital media file may function as a reward to incentivizetransactional commerce. For example, a customer who buys a digital videofile may receive the digital media file embedded with additional tokensas a reward for the purchase. The customer can redeem the rewards forother goods or services, separate the reward to keep or sell, and/orsell the rewards embedded with the digital video file to another party.Smart contracts may or may not be involved.

In another embodiment, the additional units of tokenized value embeddedwith the tokenized digital media file may function as a royalty or anexchange fee source of funds. For example, a customer who buys a digitalvideo file may receive the file embedded with additional tokens as areward for the purchase. The customer later decides it wants to sell thedigital media file to another party. When the file is sold to anotherparty, a portion of the embedded units of tokenized value may be used asa royalty or exchange fee paid to another third party. The third partymay or may not be the original creator of the content or the legal ownerof the rights to the digital media. The royalty or exchange fee may ormay not be automatically transferred from the seller of the digitalmedia file to the third party.

In another embodiment, the additional units of tokenized value embeddedwith the tokenized digital media file may function as a reward toincentivize non-transactional commerce. For example, each time the ownerof the tokenized digital media file plays a video file, some amount ofreward (which may be in the form of a digital loyalty token or currencytoken) may be sent from a third party (which may or may not be thedigital media creator or owner of the digital media rights) to the ownerof the tokenized digital media file as an incentive to play the digitalmedia. In another embodiment, an employer who wants to incentivizeemployees for healthier behavior uses aspects of the digital token toimprove the lives of the employees and/or reduce health care costs. Uponconfirmation an employee is performing some targeted behavior (such asjogging for an hour), the employer may transfer the tokenized digitalmedia to the employee as a reward for the behavior.

After embedding 140 additional data with the media file (or on theabsence of adding data), a hashing operation may be performed 150 on thedigital media file. The hashing function may track attributes of thedigital media file as it persists through the distributed ledger. Forexample, number of uses, number of transfers, and chains of transfer(for example tracing a chain of parties distributing the tokenized mediafile to an end party within the network).

The hashed tokenized digital media file may be cryptographically secured160 on a distributed ledger protocol with a unique digital signature.The digital signature will notify the network of its authenticitypreventing the ability to copy or counterfeit the tokenized digitalmedia file. Any counterfeit or copied version will not have theauthenticating digital signature and is rejected by the network.

The transaction(s) associated with the tokenized digital media filewithin the system may be defined 170 based on the protocol used in thenetwork in which it is distributed. For example, in a blockchainenvironment, a block chain protocol is used. However, other protocolsmay be used as appropriate depending on the nature of the network. Insome embodiments, the tokenized digital media file includes a hash chainfunction to verify the authenticity of a transferred tokenized digitalmedia file within the system The hash chain may be used to facilitatethe purchase, borrow, rent or lease of specific parts of the media fileas opposed to the entire file. Using the hash chain, the exact number ofdigital media file frames purchased, borrowed, rented or leased may beverified. A royalty payment may be made using a distributed ledgerprotocol token as a digital loyalty token or digital currency token,etc. either manually or autonomously.

In embodiments using a hash chain, the tokenized digital media contentmay be accessed as a blockchain, with each frame representing a block.The blockchain can be navigated using a blockchain explorer to findspecific blocks of content or blocks of blocks of content. Users withaccess can leave comments tagged to that specific block or block ofblock content. The comment may be visible to other users, the creator ofthe digital media content or owner of the digital media rights. A usermay send payment in the form of, including but not limited to, a tip, aroyalty or a purchase payment, to the original content creator, theowner of the digital media rights, or any other third party directly bysending a token of value, which may be blockchain based, directly to anelectronic wallet attached to the block or block of blocks.

The hash chain may allow the original creator or owner of the digitalmedia rights to receive detailed data on the ownership and playback ofthe tokenized digital media content. For example, a user owns a moviefile. The owner watches the first 30% of the movie twice withoutfinishing it. Using the hash chain data of the exact frames viewed asblocks in the hash chain blockchain playback data can be transmitted tothe original creator or owner of the digital media rights, along withother data including, but not limited to, date and time of playback.physical location during playback and the device it was accessed on.

The value embedded within the tokenized digital media file may be usedas a royalty payment to the original content creator or owner of thedigital media rights for frequency of times accessing the digital mediacontent. For example, a user wishes to rent a song to be played onlyfour times over an undetermined time. The tokenized digital media filemay autonomously transfer the embedded value to the original contentcreator or the owner of the digital media rights as each frame is playedor the entire file is played. When the embedded value has all beentransferred, the file is no longer accessible.

Once the transaction for the token is defined, the tokenized digitalmedia file may be accepted 180 into the network based on the rules forthe network. An exemplary embodiment for accepting a tokenized digitalmedia file is described in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a method 200 of persisting a tokenized digitalmedia file in in a blockchain or distributed ledger network is shownaccording to an exemplary embodiment. The method 200 may begin byentering 210 the asset (the tokenized digital media file) into thenetwork. Based upon the network's protocol, some or all of the networkmembers propose or vote 220 to persist the transaction associated withthe tokenized digital media file into the network. A determination 230may be performed as to whether the transaction entering the network wassigned by an authorized member of the network to perform asset creationand in some instances, whether fees were paid accordingly. If thedetermination is negative, the transaction (digital token) may beignored or blocked from persisting through the network. Otherwise, aconfirmation, proposal, or vote may be prepared 250. One or moreparticipants within the network may sign off 260 on the current block oftransactions up for vote which includes the tokenized digital mediafile. The conformation, proposal, or vote may be distributed 270 tomembers in the network. A determination 280 is made whether enough votesare in favor of persisting the tokenized digital media file into thenetwork. A positive determination persists 290 the tokenized digitalmedia file (and any other transaction voted on) into the network.Otherwise, the file and/or any other transactions may be blocked 240from persisting.

It will be further appreciated that the embodiments described above aregenerally flexible and may be used for various applications. Forexample, the tokenized digital media may be used in general as anincentive for transactional commerce. For example, a customer buys atelevision from an online merchant. Upon confirmation of thetransactional payment the tokenized digital media can be transferred toa user profile or electronic wallet as a reward for the transaction. Thetokenized digital media may be exchanged on a network among userprofiles or wallets. The profiles may be registered and verified withuser information such as legal name, telephone number, credit card, etc.The original creator of the tokenized digital media may restrictexchange between users based on user specific information. User data maybe accessible by the original creator or owner of the digital mediarights.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a schematic of an example of a computersystem/server 10 is shown. The computer system/server 10 is shown in theform of a general-purpose computing device. As may be appreciated,reference to a computer system/server 10 (sometimes referred to as a“general computing machine”) in the following description may refer todifferent machines depending on the role or function being performed. Inaddition, more than one computer system/server 10 may be presentsimultaneously, for example in the network 100 described more fullybelow. The computer system/server 10 may serve the role as the machineimplementing for example functions related to receiving and storingdigital token terms, generating a token associated with a digital mediafile(s), performing contract terms, updating terms as a digital tokenpersists through a network, tracking changes/status in a digital token,tracking a number of times a digital media file in a token has beenused, accessed, or transferred, assessing a value for the token,generating a token value based on the terms of a token's rules, andpersisting a digital token through a network. The components of thecomputer system/server 10 may include, but are not limited to, one ormore processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18that couples various system components including the system memory 28 tothe processor 16.

The computer system/server 10 may be for example, personal computersystems, tablet devices, mobile telephone devices, server computersystems, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, and distributed cloud computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. Thecomputer system/server 10 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system (described for example, below). In someembodiments, the computer system/server 10 may be a cloud computing nodeconnected to a cloud computing network (not shown). The computersystem/server 10 may be practiced in distributed cloud computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributedcloud-computing environment, program modules may be located in bothlocal and remote computer system storage media including memory storagedevices.

The computer system/server 10 may typically include a variety ofcomputer system readable media. Such media could be chosen from anyavailable media that is accessible by the computer system/server 10,including non-transitory, volatile and non-volatile media, removable andnon-removable media. The system memory 28 could include one or morecomputer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as arandom access memory (RAM) 30 and/or a cache memory 32. By way ofexample only, a storage system 34 can be provided for reading from andwriting to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media device typicallycalled a “hard drive” (not shown). The system memory 28 may include atleast one program product 40 having a set (e.g., at least one) ofprogram modules 42 that are configured to carry out the functions ofembodiments of the invention. The program product/utility 40, having aset (at least one) of program modules 42, may be stored in the systemmemory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operatingsystem, one or more application programs, other program modules, andprogram data. Each of the operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other program modules, and program data or some combinationthereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Theprogram modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.

The computer system/server 10 may also communicate with one or moreexternal devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24,etc.; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enablethe computer system/server 10 to communicate with one or more othercomputing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O)interfaces 22. Alternatively, the computer system/server 10 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via a network adapter 20. As depicted, the network adapter20 may communicate with the other components of the computersystem/server 10 via the bus 18.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of thedisclosed invention may be embodied as a system, method or process, orcomputer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the disclosedinvention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,”“module,” or “system” Furthermore, aspects of the disclosed inventionmay take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or morecomputer readable media having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable media (for example,storage system 34) may be utilized. In the context of this disclosure, acomputer readable storage medium may be any tangible or non-transitorymedium that can contain, or store a program (for example, the programproduct 40) for use by or in connection with an instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device. A computer readable storage medium may be,for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, ordevice, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Aspects of the disclosed invention are described below with reference toblock diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer programproducts according to embodiments of the invention. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to the processor 16 of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a system 100 generally includes a first party110, a second party 130, and a network 120. The first and second parties110; 130 may represent for example a distributing holder of a digitaltoken with a digital media file and a second party receiving the digitaltoken (or copy thereof). The network 120 may include a server(s) 125storing a software embodiment of the disclosed invention and acting asan intermediary or host providing the distributed ledger or blockchainenvironment for implementing transactions within the system The firstparty 110 and second party 130 may interact with the system 100 throughrespective general computing machines 10. The server(s) 125 likewise mayfunction for example, under the description of the general computingmachine 10. Changes to the token (or to the contract within the token)may be read, detected, and updated within the server(s) 125. In anexemplary embodiment, changes to the token may be tracked using a hashfunction (described above) stored and updated within the server(s) 125.

Those of skill in the art would appreciate that various components andblocks may be arranged differently (e.g., arranged in a different order,or partitioned in a different way) all without departing from the scopeof the subject technology.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. The previousdescription provides various examples of the subject technology, and thesubject technology is not limited to these examples. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. For example, while the foregoing was described in thecontext of a rewards or redemption program and associated liabilities,it will be understood that other applications may use aspects of thesubject technology to track information and assess changing value asprovided by the system and processes disclosed.

Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shownherein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with thelanguage claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, butrather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term“some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his)include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and viceversa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience onlyand do not limit the invention.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect isessential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to anaspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations.An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspectmay refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an“embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to thesubject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurationsof the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment mayapply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment mayprovide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer toone or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a“configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential tothe subject technology or that such configuration applies to allconfigurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to aconfiguration may apply to all configurations, or one or moreconfigurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. Aphrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations andvice versa.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example orillustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construedunder the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless theelement is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in thecase of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “stepfor.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or thelike is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended tobe inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” isinterpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for tokenization of digital media,comprising: a digital token configured for persisted distribution withinan electronic distributed ledger, the digital token including: a digitalmedia file, a set of stored rules attached to the digital media file,the set of stored rules including a distributed ledger protocol andconditions that define a change in status associated with the digitalmedia file as the digital token is distributed within the electronicdistributed ledger, and a host server configured to update the status ofthe digital token within the distributed ledger in response to adetected change in status of the digital token and broadcast an updateof the digital token to the electronic distributed ledger.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the set of stored rules in the digital indicate achange of status of the digital token in response to transfer or accessto the digital media file from a first party in the electronicdistributed ledger to a second party in the electronic distributedledger.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of stored rules in thedigital token include a cryptographic hash function.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, wherein the cryptographic hash function includes a public andprivate key pair.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the change in statusof the digital token includes a use of the digital media file.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the change in status of the digital tokenincludes a change in monetary value of the digital token.
 7. A methodfor distributing a digital media file within an electronic distributedledger, comprising: generating a digital token associated with thedigital media file, comprising a set of stored rules attached to thedigital media file, the set of stored rules including a distributedledger protocol and conditions that define a change in status associatedwith the digital media file as the digital token is distributed withinthe electronic distributed ledger; distributing, by a computerprocessor, the digital token within the electronic distributed ledger;identifying, by a computer processor, an update to a status of thedigital media file within the electronic distributed ledger; modifying,by the computer processor, the status of the digital token in responseto the identified updated status of the digital media file; andbroadcasting by a host server, to the electronic distributed ledger, themodified status of the digital token.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising generating a cryptographic hash function associated with thedigital token, the hash function tracking changes to the status of thedigital media file.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the hash functiontracks the number of times the digital media file has been used ortransferred between parties in the electronic distributed ledger. 10.The method of claim 9, further comprising automatically changing amonetary value associated with the digital token based on the number oftimes the digital media file has been used or transferred betweenparties in the electronic distributed ledger.
 11. The method of claim 8,further comprising providing a monetary value associated with thedigital token to parties distributing the digital token based on thenumber of times the digital media file has been used or transferredbetween parties in the electronic distributed ledger.
 12. A computerprogram product for hosting an online portal for the tokenization of adigital media file, the computer program product comprising anon-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readableprogram code embodied therewith, the computer readable program codebeing configured, when executed by a computer processor, to: generate adigital token associated with the digital media file, comprising a setof stored rules attached to the digital media file, the set of storedrules including a distributed ledger protocol and conditions that definea change in status associated with the digital media file as the digitaltoken is distributed within the electronic distributed ledger;distribute, by a computer processor, the digital token within theelectronic distributed ledger; identify, by a computer processor, anupdate to a status of the digital media file within the electronicdistributed ledger; modify, by the computer processor, the status of thedigital token in response to the identified updated status of thedigital media file; and broadcast by a host server, to the electronicdistributed ledger, the modified status of the digital token.
 13. Thecomputer program product of claim 12, further comprising computerreadable program code being configured to generate a cryptographic hashfunction associated with the digital token, the hash function trackingchanges to the status of the digital media file.
 14. The computerprogram product of claim 13, wherein the hash function tracks the numberof times the digital media file has been used or transferred betweenparties in the electronic distributed ledger.
 15. The computer programproduct of claim 14, further comprising computer readable program codebeing configured to automatically changing a monetary value associatedwith the digital token based on the number of times the digital mediafile has been used or transferred between parties in the electronicdistributed ledger.
 16. The computer program product of claim 12,further comprising computer readable program code being configured toproviding a monetary value associated with the digital token to partiesdistributing the digital token based on the number of times the digitalmedia file has been used or transferred between parties in theelectronic distributed ledger.